“It was a big blow to the family, I know them very, very well, and I know the nephews and grandchildren and they are all lovely people. It’s awful when the two of them die like this so close together.”

Cllr Connolly added: “Peter’s wife Eileen died suddenly a number of years ago so it was another big loss for the family.”

Parish Priest Fr Christy McCormack said the whole community was in shock.

He said: “Both men were well known locally and people are supporting the family in their double loss.”